GrowBiz XChange network evenings are informal and friendly events open to all – and a great opportunity to meet other local businesses and hear from experts in their field. The evening will kick off at 6.00pm with a buffet and networking.

In the first GrowBiz XChange of 2020 we'll hear from a panel of speakers providing information on funding opportunities for businesses in rural Perthshire - including:

Visual Artists and Creative Makers Award (VACMA)

Caron Ironside Project Officer, Perthshire Creates part of Culture Perth & Kinross, will talk about the Visual Artists and Creative Makers Award (VACMA) - small grants to support visual artists and craft makers in their creative and professional development. The awards are between £500 to £1,500 and this year sees the introduction of a New Graduate/Emerging Artist Bursary of £500.

Crowfunder Scotland

Through their LEADER-funded programme local coaches are available to provide advice and support to help you get your idea off the ground. Brenda Roddy is the coach for rural Perthshire and brings many years' experience of fundraising and allocating funds. She's keen to help communities, businesses and individuals to run successful projects, whatever the size. She also brings a great deal of experience with new businesses and environmental projects.

Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant

Graham Glover, Market Development & International Trade Adviser will present on this new fund and other initiatives currently offered by Perth & Kinross Council. The Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant aims to provide local micro and small businesses with funding support to explore and develop new or expanded markets for their goods and services across the wider United Kingdom and internationally.

Grants, paid retrospectively, are available up to £2,500 covering up to 50% of eligible costs. These are open to businesses (including sole traders, constituted community groups, social/community enterprises and co-operatives) who are located in the Perth & Kinross Council area.

Royal Bank of Scotland and Back Her Business

Emma Miller from Royal Bank of Scotland will talk about her role as a Business Growth Enabler and how she can help support business customers, from opening their first bank account; arranging lending; right through to helping sustain businesses or help them grow.

She will also provide information on what Royal Bank of Scotland can offer you as a business owner including local events and their current initiative Back Her Business.

Back Her Business is an initiative which has been introduced on the back of the Alison Rose report and is designed to help women led and women owned businesses apply for funding for new projects. Royal Bank of Scotland have teamed up with Crowdfunder UK to deliver this initiative which is a crowdfunding campaign where if targets are met the Royal Bank will fund up to 50% ( to a maximum of £5000 ) to help with the new venture.

DSL Business Finance.

We'll also hear from Rekha Welsh on the services offered by DSL including the Scottish microfinance fund. DSL is a not-for-profit lender pledging funds to ambitious small to medium sized businesses throughout Scotland. Find out more on their website - www.dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/

If you have any accessibility requirements please email connect@growbiz.co.uk.

GrowBiz is funded by Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Enterprise and The Scottish Government, and the Making Rural Business Digital project is supported by the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Programme 2014-2020: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. For more on LEADER go to www.pkleader.org